Linky Party: a Nurse's Routine

I love our little community of nursing bloggers-and its time for another link-up!!!!

Today lets talk about my routine.


Nurses are creatures of habit-so its not surprising that we have patterns!
12 hour shifts are long.
It takes a little bit to get prepared.
And in my opinion, it takes a little bit more to come down off the adrenaline that kept you going for that long (especially on a very stressful night/day)

But in both-music of course (its me!) plays a pretty crucial role.



I don't have much of a before routine.  I usually wake up (from either a 2 hour nap or a whole day of sleeping).  If its early enough, I will sometimes study my scriptures, watch some TV or blog.  Then I grab some dinner, pack a "lunch" and change into scrubs.

I have a roughly 15 minute drive, and I always try to leave 30 minutes early.  This usually gives me 5-10 minutes of wiggle room-and it is usually spent in the car, in the parking garage "preparing".  I usually try and find a calm song I like on the radio, and I close my eyes, lay my head on the steering wheel and just be for a bit.
Then right before I get out of the car I turn off the radio and say a little prayer.  I know it sounds all righteous and spiritual and stuff, but seriously there have been nights I haven't done this and they have ALWAYS been terrible.




My wind down is generally more of a deal.  Again the 15 minute car ride is important.

15 minutes is just right for me...long enough to have good distance but short enough to not create resentment for my commute.

I take the back way home, since the highway just has too many cars and merging that I don't want to deal with that early in the morning.  Plus the back way is much more scenic.
If I had a good night, I usually go for the loud peppy "rock-on" type music.  A hard/long night usually means a sad/calm song.

Usually once I get home, I chat with my mom (this actually is the BEST decompressing....what will I do when I live alone!?).  I usually hop on FB/blog/email just to make sure I am connected to the world.
And then I shower, lotion, stretch (yoga poses and stretches to help you sleep) read my scriptures for a bit and head right to bed!


And that is my routine.  Not much to it!  I'm a boring person I guess.

But here's the wrap-up/sum-up/take home message......
Nursing can be stressful, and a wind up and wind down routine can really help you cope...and not bring too much work home with you.
Leave work at work!


And Be Happy Be Healthy!

Musical Monday:King of Anything

This song speaks for itself today.

Ever had someone in your life who thought they knew you...but frankly there was know way they could.

But they acted like they did...but everything they said was all...well.....invalid.


So to everyone who has ever been like that....who died and made you king of anything???

Oxytocin-Or Why We Need Other People

Have you ever heard the research they have done on oxytocin??

Oxytocin is a hormone our body naturally releases that leads to feelings of contentment and comfort.

Studies have shown that touching stimulates the body to release this hormone.
Even just touching someones hand can trigger the release.
So just think what an actual hug could do????



Just a simple hug can do wonders.

A bit ago I was having a terrible day.  Like a really terrible horrible no good very bad day.
We were in serious Alexander mode.

Luckily I was able to see a dear friend.  Unluckily at this time this good friend was going through a loss, and was really in need of a hug.
So being a hugger, I pulled her in and held her for a bit.

But I still was so focused on myself.  Everyone around me was hounding me-and suddenly I had minor attack and pulled my hood over my face in a stressed/overwhelmed manner.

And suddenly this sweet friend-who was hurting herself-said "Oh Stephanie, it is ok!" and pulled me into a hug.  And as we left, she kept hugging me and even allowed me to lean on her as we walked.

It likely looked like I was either incapable of walking myself (either due to emotional distress or drunkenness).  And frankly it kind of felt like I couldn't!

But she was there for me.  (even though it should have been me there for her!)
And seriously-my day was suddenly better.
Such a simple almost nothing thing-and my day took a 180 degree turn.

And it was perfect.



So hug each other.  Cause its not like you can hug yourself!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

Confessions on a Saturday Afternoon

I have discovered
THE
unicorn.


(see this post for a definition)

(also please be assured that this whole post is SUPPOSED to be funny haha)


There have been unicorns I have known in the past.
But this man is THE unicorn!


I wish I could put up a picture-but that might get a little awkward (yikes!)


But seriously this man is a creature not from this world.

Tall, dark, handsome....and when he smiles...oh goodness I'm a puddle on the ground.


He caused a very composed and feet firmly on the ground girl to gawk and practically drool.

And seriously when he sat down next to me-I had to hold onto the seat I was in for fear I would fall off.

And then he was talking to me....and I had to remind myself to breathe!

And then ladies and gents, he touched my knee as he was saying goodbye and I thought for sure I would need someone with ACLS training.
Cause my heart looked like THIS


(ps...its NOT supposed to look like that!)


Get the defibrillator people we've got a Code Blue Cardiac Arrest.


Truly this man is a mystical creature, that I am pretty sure is not real......like for REALS!!!


Anyway...Be Happy Be Healthy....and I will sit here trying to slow my palpating heart ;)

H54F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. LITTLE SISTER IS HOME!!!!!!!!!

2. I saw a UNICORN on Sunday  (more on this in a post that will go live tomorrow-stay tuned)

3. Night out with the gals from work!

Seriously it is nice to see your work friends outside of work...

4. Even though it was kind of a rough week-I have 2 really good friends who totally picked me up when I was down...and told me I was awesome!  LOVE THEM!!!

5. Its coming...its coming...summer is coming!!!!!!

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!!!

Theme Song Thursday:Can't Shake You

So this song may have absolutely nothing to do with my life right now.

But that has not stopped me from being moderately obsessed with it.


Plus who can't relate to the idea that sometimes you just can't shake somebody?

In the past you have always been able to let go and move on-but for some reason you can't this time.

Be honest-its happened to you.  :)







Anyway-be happy be healthy!

flo Rida

dear boys ....as always :)

dear rookie
don't flirt with me rook.  seriously.
your minor league flirting has no place in the big leagues.
now get back to work!
love
a big hitter

dear bowtie
wrong girl.  you were supposed to go for the other girl
but eh whatever-yeah lets hang :)  you could be a nice distraction
love


dear basketball player
thanks for picking me up when i was down.
not sure i totally believe you when you say i'm a catch
but if you say so.  it really is two bad we are playing 2 different sports
love
a baseball player


dear tractor boy
i really have no idea what you think you are doing
but i guess i just have to let you do it
bye
a city girl


dear tall and lanky
apparently we are supposed to go out.
yeah we'll see if that happens
i'm super whatever about it all
love
the matchmaker who is getting matched

dear espanolo
eh eh  this could work out
like for reals
love
matchmaker

dear american league
some say i'm out of your league.
some might be saying you're out of my league
either way--we are not in the same league
too bad :(
love
national league

be happy be healthy folks!!!!

and happy wednesday

Brave-My Definition

Brave- 

"having or showing courage"

(Merriam-Webster)

Ok.  

But how do you show that courage?  How do you tell if you have it.

Some might say that being brave means telling the guy you like that you like him...even though you are pretty sure he doesn't like you back.

Its about saying what you need and want to say.

Its about throwing practicality out the window.

But I'm not so sure.

I mean yeah that is brave.  For sure.

But maybe its even more brave to walk away from the thing you want....but shouldn't have.

How many times in our lives have we wanted something, but known it is totally wrong for us.  

In my opinion walking away from this is even more brave than fighting for it.  

Its hard.  It goes against what you have been encouraged to do for most of your life.

For years we have been told to go for it!

To not let anything stop us...or to not let anyone tell us we can't have something.

But sometimes-you can't.  Sometimes you've gotta walk away.

And that is even more brave.

Closing the door when you so desperately want to stay-now that is brave.

High Five For Friday!!!!!!

Happy Friday Blogging World!!!!!

And shout out to Lauren Elizabeth!!!

1. TOTALLY spent too much of my extra shift pay today :)  But hey-got some GREAT stuff!!!

2. Food for Fines????  Pay off your library overdue fines with cans...YES PLEASE.  Did I only save about 75 cents??  Yes.  But it was for a good cause!!!

3. Partner in Crime and Bell Boy and I tried out the gelato place on Grand....and LOVE!!!!!

4. Its concert season for Baby Sister......terribly blurry shot...but LOVE HER!!!

5. Didn't lose a single patient this week!!!!  And we came awful close too many times!!!!!!!

Anyways...Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!!!!

Why Don't We Listen??

Tonight I had 2 great conversations...with 2 besties.

And it was very enlightening.

One conversation I tried to convince one that she is great and amahzing.

And the other I was the one who needed convincing.


In the first, I got so "righteously indignant" haha because she just wouldn't believe me.


And in the second.....I pulled the same crap!!!


When someone tells you "You are out of his league"...its hard to respond

Just a Letter

Alright so this is just a letter...to boys, to girls, to all!

Alright People---Obsession Time!!!

I am LITERALLY OBSESSED with this song.

Like SUPER OBSESSED.

Yes it is a good song.  But you want to know why I am really obsessed with it??  Cause of the dance I have choreographed in my head for it!!!

Like seriously people is it AMAHZING!!!!!!!  Can't you just picture the awesome lifts and turns that would just go so well with it?????



Honestly this show is a lot like Glee for me.  I watched it at first..but it got lame and dumb--but the music stayed awesome so I follow the music and not the show.


Anyway...its been on repeat for the entire day!!!

And so today's theme song...  close your eyes and let the music take you away

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!

Pinterest Fun..In Pictures :)

I never post pics really.  And I'm going to try to better about that.  Starting with a very exciting Pinterest Adventure!

I've wanted to do this since I first saw it.  And pleasant coincidence??
I have this great friend who's kinda as silly/nerdy/cool as me!!!

Performing a bit of crayola surgery!

I had to include this one...though it is terribly embarrassing....but it just does a very good job of showing Dan and my relationship...him driving me bananas and me yelling at him :D

Notice how Dan only approved pics where you don't see his whole face...way to go DAN!!!!!


Also Baby Sister's response..."Dan's is cooler"  GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!!

Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!

Confessions....UH OH

I should probably take some advice from the ever wise Fat Amy when it comes to posts like this

BUT eh....what'll we lose....its not like I have much dignity left anyway ;) tehehe

HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS peeps!

I speed.....a lot.....and its very bad.....like very bad.......

Lately I have been driving home late on empty highways a lot......and that has led to some serious speeding issues....YIKESS!!!!!!!  Its sooooo easy when NO ONE is on a 4 lane highway for seriously long stretches!

But guess what I discovered???  (I mean I didn't really discover it...I've just never thought of it for city driving)  Ummmmm cruise control people!!!!!!!!!  No tickets for this girl!!!!!!!!!!

I have fallen off the wagon....thanks to this song....

And now I am listening to cranky bitter big-haired blonde country singers again.

Its a serious problem.

But I am rationalizing my failure by assuring myself that just because I listen to such music....I don't have to become a closet bitter blonde country singer!!!

I am EXTREMELY grateful that the messy top knot/bun sit-e-a-tion is acceptable for out of the house events..not just cleaning and doing laundry

Yes this is how I did my hair for my "date" the other night.  STELLAR!!!!!



Be Happy Be Healthy!